October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and the Many Voices for Smart Choices™ Coalition* will be hosting a special event–Save a Life Montgomery Community Forum.

Saturday October 21, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT

Doors will open at noon to allow attendees time to visit the information pathway and resource tables. Walk-ins are welcome and may register at the door. There is no cost to attend this event and all community members are welcome.
This program will provide current information to attendees on medical, legal, and behavioral issues and supports related to opioid and substance abuse. This forum is designed to address unique issues among parents, caregivers, and youth.
Activities include:
• an information pathway of county statistics and personal stories
• resource tables providing information about relevant local services and supports
• keynote speakers, including: two-time Super Bowl Champion Dexter Manley
• presentation of youth PSA video and poster contest award winners
• information about the Good Samaritan law
• interactive demonstrations and reflection activities especially for youth (note: SSL hours are available for this event)
• behavioral and health changes that occur in those with current substance abuse issues
• an introduction to Naloxone and panel discussion with a Q&A session

Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families
September 2017
The Collaboration Council is currently seeking a Prevention Coordinator for its Many Voices for Smart Choices (MVSC) substance abuse prevention program. The Prevention Coordinator assists the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families in its efforts to reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs by youth and young adults, and engages community stakeholders in encouraging positive youth development. For complete job description and where to send your cover letter and resume click here Prevention Coordinator Job Description.
Closing date for submitting resumes is October 16, 2017

September is Hunger Action Month – a month where people all over America stand together with Feeding America and the nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger. It’s a month to spread the word and take action on the hunger crisis, and dedicate ourselves to a solution.
Check out these and other hunger facts on the Maryland Hunger Solutions website, and be sure to support these programs that provide meals, grocery delivery and emergency food to our neighbors.

Despite living in one of the wealthiest states in the country, many Marylanders struggle with hunger.

In the wealthiest state in the country, one in eight households faces a constant struggle against hunger.

Nearly 21 percent of households with children struggle to obtain enough food to provide regular, healthy meals for their family.

Registration is underway for free 12-week video production classes for high school students that will begin September 25.
The classes are being offered by Gandhi Brigade Youth Media at their location in the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre at 8641 Colesville Rd. and at five county library locations.

All programs meet after school from 3:30 – 5:30pm

Rockville Memorial Library (Mondays)

Marilyn Praisner / Burtonsville Library (Mondays)

Long Branch Library (Tuesdays)

Kensington Park Library (Tuesdays)

Aspen Hill Library (Wednesdays)

Silver Spring Black Box Theater (Thursdays).

Gandhi Brigade Youth Media is an after-school program that empowers young people in Montgomery County to use multimedia tools to promote community building, multicultural understanding, and the common good.

The Homeowners Property Tax Credit provides tax relief based on income and age. This valuable state and county program requires an annual application and has been historically under-subscribed. The deadline to apply this year has been extended to Friday, September 15, 2017. Click here to download the HTC-60 form or to get more information.

Property tax bills for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 are available for viewing online via this page on the Montgomery County government web site. Property tax bills are determined by the assessment (updated every three years) times the tax rate. State, County and Municipal property taxes all appear on the same bill. County property tax rates are set by the County Council, State property tax rates are set by the Board of Public Works and municipal tax rates are set by municipal governments.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide. There is no single cause to suicide. It most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition.
In order to recognize National Suicide Prevention Week, September 10–16, 2017, AFSP provides this information on what you can do to #StopSuicide.
In Montgomery County, if you our someone you know needs help, call one of our Crisis Hotlines:

Maryland Youth Crisis Hotlineis a confidential, secure, & anonymous way of reaching out for help when you don’t know where else to turn. Chat and hotline specialists are available. 1-800-422-0009

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 301-864-7130

The building that has been home to the Montgomery County’s Mid-County Regional Services Center at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton has been closed as part of the ongoing Wheaton revitalization project. However, the services that have been available from the center will operate from temporarily locations while awaiting moves to their respective future permanent locations.
The former regional services center building will be demolished as part of project that will include construction of a new 14-story Montgomery County office building and an adjacent town square around the Wheaton Triangle business district. Businesses in the area are continuing to operate during the construction period.
The new 308,000 square-foot, LEED platinum certified building is scheduled for completion in 2020. It will be the relocated home of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which has long been located in Downtown Silver Spring. It also will house the new Mid-County Regional Services office, several County departments and will have retail operations on its ground floor. The building is being constructed on the Parking Lot 13 site that is located between Grandview Avenue, Reedie Drive and Triangle Lane—an area between Veirs Mill Road and Georgia Avenue.
The Mid-County Regional Services office has been temporarily located to 11435 Grandview Ave. in Wheaton. That building was the former home of the Wheaton Fire Station. The office can be reached at 240-777-8101.
Other services that were located in the Mid-County Service Center will be permanently relocating to the Westfield South Tower at 11002 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton beginning in January 2018. Those providers include Proyecto Salud, the Adult Behavioral Health program, Mid County United Ministries and the Gilchrist Center Immigrant Resource Center. Until then, the agencies have been temporarily relocated as follows:

Proyecto Salud: Has two temporary locations. Mobile units have been set up in the parking lot of the Ambassador Apartments at 2729 University Blvd. West in Wheaton. Information about the service can be obtained at 301-962-6173. The other temporary location is 18111 Prince Philip Dr., No. 132, in Olney. For information about that location, call 301-260-1074.

Adult Behavioral Health: Relocated to the former Broome School building at 751 Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville. Information about the service is available at 240-777-1384.

Mid County United Ministries: Relocated to the former Broome School building at 751 Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville. Information about the service is available at 301-929-8675.

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center: Relocated to Westfield North Building at 2730 University Blvd. West, Suite 220, in Wheaton. Information about the center is available at 240-777-4940.

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) meetings will be held at the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad at 2400 Arcola Ave. in Wheaton. The meetings will be held in the Green Room on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board (MCCAB) meetings will be held at the Mid-County Community Recreation Center at 2004 Queensguard Rd. in Silver Spring. The meetings will be held in the large conference room on the third Tuesday of each month.